While I tend to have the view that "it's your body, you should be able to poison it with drugs as long as no one else is hurt," I don't think this applies to performance enhancing drugs because if some people use it, there becomes a huge amount of pressure for everyone else to use it or risk being left behind, competitively.

Well first of all, I didn't neccesarily mean just in professional or amateur sports, but also just everyday people that want to improve the way they look.

Secondly, I would have to take issue with the use of the word 'poison.' How would using steriods poison your body? Elaborate please.

Thirdly, it's kind of weird how people that frown upon steriod use call steriods 'drugs' while people who support there use refer to them as 'hormones'. As for me, they are hormones.

As for the peer pressure thing, to be successful in the NFL you have to weight train consistantly, right? If you don't you will be left behind competitively, right? So does that mean that weight training should be outlawed?

Secondly, I would have to take issue with the use of the word 'poison.' How would using steriods poison your body? Elaborate please.

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Ummm..have you ever seen the muscle tissue of someone who uses steroids? It's brown as opposed to being healthy blue/red muscle tissue. I worked with an orthopedic surgeon who did surgery on Lex Luger of wrestling fame and that is all they found was "damaged" or "poisoned" muscle tissue from steroid usage. It ended Luger's career early and to try to claim that it steroids aren't harmful makes me scratch my head and wonder what sand you have been burying your head in.

From a Vanderbilt University article:

Men suffer from impotence, ejaculatory problems, and decreased sperm counts. Anabolic steroids inhibit the release of follicle stimulating hormones and luteinizing hormone from the pituitary which results in testicular atrophy and decreased production of natural testosterone. In one study, testicular atrophy was apparent in 8 of 20 body builders who used steroids (Lamb, 1984).

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Heart disease and strokes are not uncommon in relatively young steroid users. Steroid abuse leads to hardening of the arteries. Steroid use causes decreased elastin and increased collagen in the walls of their blood vessels. The stiffening of arterial walls can lead to heart attacks (www.bigsport.com/steroids/steroids.roidb11b.txt).

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Depending on the type of anabolic steroid used, the amount and length of time can lead to liver damage. When the liver is under stress, increased amounts of certain chemicals are found in the bloodstream. Anabolic steroid abusers have up to twice the level of these chemicals in their blood compared to non-users. Liver cells are damaged as the liver attempts to break down the foreign agents. There are changes in the structure of the liver with continued use, and the liverâ€™s ability to rid the body of wastes is decreased (http://www.bigsport.com/steroids/steroids/roidb11b.txt).

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Conclusion:

The use of steroids appears to be effective in increasing body mass and strength when taken in conjunction with a strength training program. Although, anabolic steroids can improve athletic performance, the effects are disastrous. Many steroid abusers believe they are invincible. Twenty years from now, they will realize that this is simply not true. Todayâ€™s athletes will be suffering the effects of steroid use and wondering if the victory was worth it.

Well first of all, I didn't neccesarily mean just in professional or amateur sports, but also just everyday people that want to improve the way they look.

Secondly, I would have to take issue with the use of the word 'poison.' How would using steriods poison your body? Elaborate please.

Thirdly, it's kind of weird how people that frown upon steriod use call steriods 'drugs' while people who support there use refer to them as 'hormones'. As for me, they are hormones.

As for the peer pressure thing, to be successful in the NFL you have to weight train consistantly, right? If you don't you will be left behind competitively, right? So does that mean that weight training should be outlawed?

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I'll respond to your points in order:

1. Even if they are for purely cosmetic uses, I still think that the alluring "benefits" of steroid use coupled with the harmful effects (even if you deny they exist...) make these substances that should be illegal. As I mentioned, I generally don't care if someone wants to use drugs but since Steroids can be spun to be attractive more easily than say Heroin, it should be illegal or at least heavily regulated.

2. "Poison" by definition are substances, particularly chemicals, that are harmful or even fatal. Steroids fit this categorization, in my (and most medical professionals') opinion.

3. Does this really surprise you? I'm actually surprised that you think this is weird...

4. It's not the peer pressure alone that makes me not support steroids, it's the peer pressure coupled with the negative effects. Your analogy makes no sense.

If you are into increasing your chances of a heart attack, liver cancer and or cardiovascular diseases by all means get hooked on steroids. Sure you will pump up your muscle mass for a short period of time, but you'll also screw up your body.

Maybe your a man who wants to develop breasts this is also a good reason to buy steroids. Making steroids legal would in danger the average person who isn't aware of all the side effects of these drugs. I'm sure girls who are 13 and want to be better basketball player will get their hands on this stuff than wonder why no guys want to date them, not realizing that excessive hair grow on the face is a common side effect.

I agree with Jonesy, but I want to take that much further than that( I don't want to pay for your fat *** to get heart surgery)

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Well I agree with you there, too. And before anyone makes the argument about medical conditions leading to obesity, those are fine. They are medical conditions. Sitting on your couch and eating Doritos while watching Comedy Central, however, is not a medical condition.

Well first of all, I didn't neccesarily mean just in professional or amateur sports, but also just everyday people that want to improve the way they look.

Secondly, I would have to take issue with the use of the word 'poison.' How would using steriods poison your body? Elaborate please.

Thirdly, it's kind of weird how people that frown upon steriod use call steriods 'drugs' while people who support there use refer to them as 'hormones'. As for me, they are hormones.

As for the peer pressure thing, to be successful in the NFL you have to weight train consistantly, right? If you don't you will be left behind competitively, right? So does that mean that weight training should be outlawed?

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Everyday people that want to look better? Why not just do good old fashioned hard work by weight lifting?

I agree with Jonesy, but I want to take that much further than that( I don't want to pay for your fat *** to get heart surgery)

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Add to that people who **** themselves up with smoking or drinking.

Anyway...

A high schools girls athletic coach is desperate for his team to win a tournament. They have never won anything and this is his final year before retirement and he wants to make it a blowout win year. After a tough descision he decides to start putting steroids in the teams water.
It works wonders, after a few weeks the team is improving rapidly and go on to win their first ever tournament. Encouraged by this he increases the dose, and the performance increases and so he increases the dose more and more. The team improve and improve, winning county and then even state events. They make it through to the national high school finals.
On the eve of the national final Charlotte - a petite brunette 400m runner comes to his office crying. 'Whats wrong?" the coach asks. "I have dark wirey hair growing on my chest and down my torso" she sobs. "OMG How far down does it go?!?" he asks. "To my balls" she replies, "Which is another matter I wanted to raise with you"

I think it's for really, really lazy people who don't want to work for their body. Just lump them in with all the other fad-diet losers and everyone else get back to the gym. That's my primary objection. If they also want to suffer all the side effects as well that's their problem.